Moby Dick, or The Whale, by Herman Melville.
A Modern Library book. This used to belong to Mike, and when
he passed away, I kept it. I remember reading Moby Dick when I took Mom to the
doctor, and I used to read it to Kameron at bedtime to help him go to sleep.
Even now, Kam has my old paperback copy.
Ranking: Keeper.
File Code: Classic. Novel. Hardback.
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and The Adventures of
Huckleberry Finn, by Mark Twain.
A Modern Library book. The inscription by the original owner
reads 1943. This used to belong to Mike, and when he passed away, I kept it. We
used to have old Whitman Classic copies of these books when we were little.
Ranking: Keeper.
File Code: Classic. Novel. Hardback.
The Story of Mankind, by Hendrik Willem Van Loon.
Illustrated with simple line drawings and maps and completed
by the author’s son. “The Story of Mankind was written and illustrated by
Dutch-American journalist, professor, and author Hendrik Willem van Loon and
published in 1921. In 1922, it was the first book to be awarded the Newbery
Medal for an outstanding contribution to children's literature. Written for his
children (Hansje and Willem), The Story of Mankind tells in brief chapters the
history of western civilization beginning with primitive man, covering the
development of writing, art, and architecture, the rise of major religions, and
the formation of the modern (for 1921) nation-state. Van Loon explains in the
book how he selected what and what not to include by subjecting all materials
to the question: Did the person or event in question perform an act without
which the entire history of civilization would have been different?” A constant
presence in middle and high school libraries, it was sort of
Will-and-Ariel-Durant for kids. When I saw a copy, I had to get it.
Ranking: Keeper.
File Code: Children’s Book. History. Hardback.
The Oxford Book of English Verse (1940), Edited by Sir Arthur
Quiller-Couch.
Anthology of verse. Browser.
Ranking: Keeper.
File Code: Poetry. Anthology. Hardback.
The Oxford Book of American Verse (1950), Edited by F. O.
Matthiessen.
Anthology of verse. Browser.
Ranking: Keeper.
File Code: Poetry. Anthology. Hardback.
Familiar Quotations, by John Bartlett (12th
Edition, Revised and Enlarged) 1951.
Full of quotes that I am sure are not in later editions but have
been replaced by more modern familiarities. Ah, a browser from the Elder Days,
redolent of another age! Cover slightly roach-chewed, it appears to me. Used to
be Mike’s.
Ranking: Keeper.
File Code: Quotations. Anthology. Hardback.
King Arthur and his Knights of The Round Table, Written and
Illustrated by Howard Pyle.
I first read this book – not this copy, you understand – in
middle school, where, with The Hobbit and The Sword in the Stone and The Dark
is Rising and an adaptation of Beowulf (coming up in the inventory) it formed
the new nucleus of my reading adventure. I remember I was reading it in the car
when Billy Castleberry came out and tried to make me leave the parking lot and
watch football practice – but I wouldn’t. I was fine where I was. I loved
Pyle’s style so much that I Xeroxed all the illustrations when I was in college
and could get access to a copy again. I had a paperback bought years ago that I
sold when this one took its place. Bought it at a library sale or a used
bookstore, I think. The faux-Mallory writing style is atrocious, though. [The
cover is a plain rebinding, so I use my favorite Pyle illustration here.]
Ranking: Essential.
File Code: Children’s Books. Legends. Hardback.
The 2nd of the four Arthur books that Pyle did, I
have been trying hard for years to get the whole series. Not hard enough to
order them over the internet, though. I don’t have the memories attached to
this one like I did to the first; I don’t think I’ve even tried to read it.
Ranking: Keeper (especially if I can get the others)
File Code: Children’s Book.
Legends. Softcover.
John Adams, by David McCullough
I’ve always been fond of John Adams since I saw his portrayal
in the movie “1776”, and what I’ve seen of the Paul Giamatti personation in the
TV adaptation of this book has only increased my interest and respect.
McCullough is a superb historian, and what is more, a storyteller, who breathes
life and interest into otherwise dry facts. It is a big book, but not a whit
too long.
Ranking: Keeper.
File Code: Biography. History. Softcover.
1776, by David McCullough
“1776 is a companion to McCullough's earlier biography of John Adams, and focuses on the events
surrounding the start of the American Revolutionary War. While revolving mostly around the leadership (and often
indecisiveness) of George Washington, there is also considerable
attention given to King George III, William Howe, Henry Knox, and Nathanael Greene. Key Revolutionary War battles
detailed in the book include the Battle of Dorchester Heights, the Battle
of Long Island, and
the Battle
of Trenton. The
activities of the Second Continental Congress and the signing of the Declaration of Independence is treated in less detail, as the focus is on
military rather than political events. The book includes multiple pages of full
color illustrations, including portraits and historical battlefield maps made
by British engineers at the time.” – Wikipedia.
Ranking: Keeper.
File Code: History. America. Softcover.
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